When we read Beowulf, we see a ideal heroic character. He slays the evil creatures, he overcomes every obstacle in his life, he respects the community he lives in, also look for 'comitatus'. From the beginning to the end, Beowulf reflects the good side, aiding the people who need help (against Grendel especially) and receiving praise after every deed.
But in Sir Gawain and Green Knight, everything is not so bright about Sir Gawain, he does not prevail any deed unlike Beowulf. He actually 'fails' in his journey to Green Chapel. He betrays Lord Bertilak by not giving the girdle to him when they're exchanging items. Also, he loses faith by accepting the girdle, trying to elude his fate whereas Beowulf is deeply bounded with his religion. Sir Gawain is afraid of Green Knight all the time while Beowulf never scares of dying. In fact, dying is depicted as a 'resolution' in Beowulf, even Beowulf himself is aware of that every man has to die, so the goal of his life is to make best of it, this theme is also important in Homer's Iliad.
One last point, when Green Knight enters the Camelot court, and offers a challenge, nobody attempts to accept it even Sir Gawain. If he was a real true hero, he'd accept it before King Arthur unwillingly accepts it.
Still these are my comments, they could be wrong or not well explained.
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